world war two Archives - Page 36 of 37

Boarding

Military vehicles prepare for boarding prior to Operation Overloard.

From the Nailsea and District Model Railway Club Show.

Operation Sealion German Armoured Train

This found its way onto my workbench (and with the recent discussion on Operation Sealion) I thought people might be interested.

It is a 20mm German Armoured Steam Engine. Using a captured GWR Praire 2-6-2 Tank Engine, the German occupation forces would use armoured trains to protect the rail network from English terrorists (partizans) and important trains (carrying the ReichsMarshal of Great Britain for example).

Normally it would push a flat wagon with 40mm AT weapon on it and other wagons would include Flak wagons and heavy machine guns.

Actually I can’t remember purchasing the Dapol plastic kit, building it or even painting it!

Dad’s Army

Dad’s Army defending Lyddle End from the invading German forces, circa 1940…

Many years ago I bought a bundle of Dad’s Army and German forces in 15mm for playing Operation Sealion games. I painted some, but most have spent a lot of time unprimed and unpainted.

Having recently read a few books recently which have rekindled my interest in Operation Sealion. These have included Collaborator by Murray Davies which is set in a nazi occupied Britain and tells the story of a British soldier working for the occupying forces as a translator who then gets involved in the resistance…

Real history books which have also inspired included Berlin The Downfall 1945 by Antony Beevor, the author of Stalingrad. and The Model Occupation: The Channel Islands Under German Rule, 1940-1945.

The Leader by Guy Walters though not an Operation Sealion alternative history, also provided inspiration.

This picture shows one of my Dad’s Army vehicles which I have repainted, It is set with some N Gauge scenery from the Lyddle End Hornby range.

The N Gauge models are out of scale, 1/148th compared to the 1/100th scale of 15mm World War Two. I also want to use the buildings with Warmaster figures as well.

Russian Tank and Infantry

Here is a picture of a KV-1 Russian tank and infantry.

From a World War Two demonstration game.

Secret Army

Secret Army, just as good as I remembered…

Back in 1977, the BBC broadcast a series, called Secret Army about a group of Belgians who helped downed aircrew escape from occupied Europe. At the time I thought it was excellent and extremely well made.

Today I often think I won’t watch that old programme as the memory of it will be ruined by seeing it again. Having said that I borrowed the first season of Secret Army from my father-in-law who had purchased it on DVD.

I did wonder if it would be as good as I remembered and thinking nearly thirty years has passed since this was first on, and time can play tricks on you. I knew that it would be a combination of film and video (as was virtually any drama made in the 1970s) and that maybe the plots and acting would be a disappointment.

Boy was I wrong.

It was excellent and though I having only watched the first two episodes it was certainly as good as I remember (if not a little better). It was very powerful stuff and well made.

I have now seen a few more episodes and it certainly is gripping stuff and well made television which has stood the test of time.

Certainly recommended.

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WWII Agean Schooner

More pictures here…

Operation Sealion

Interesting links on the proposed German invasion of England…

I have quite a few books on Sealion.

The overall conclusion of most historians (and what if experts) is that Sealion could never have succeeded… having said that the whole what if of Sealion makes for interesting games.

In the past I had quite a few games with Home Guard versus German paratroopers, great fun.

I once wrote an alternative Sealion, Otaire de Vigneur, the French invasion of England circa 1940. Though the french strategy of eclair was never taken seriously by British officers in the field.

If you consider the logistics of D-Day, the allies built two ports (Mulberry), the Germans would have had to capture an English port.

Pillbox

Second World War bunker on the West Somerset Railway…

I was quite lucky to catch a picture of this…

stuck the camera out of the window and snapped a shot as the train passed Dunster Castle.

This (I presume) Second World War bunker (or pillbox) was very likely built to defend the railway from German attack. From what I could see it was in pretty good condition.

Settling Accounts – Return Engagement – Finished

I have now finished Settling Accounts – Return Engagement which has just been published in the USA and available in the UK from Amazon.

It is a very good book and a great read. As per usual the book ends…. well that would be spoiling things so no comment!

It is a fascinating alternate history and shows how lucky the USA was in our world in avoiding war been fought on the continental United States with the horrors of Blitzkreig and blanket bombing.

There are quite a few gaming opportunities available for this alternate history.

Get Settling Accounts: Return Engagement from Amazon.